In New Delhi, foreign ministers from the Quad nations—comprising India, Australia, Japan, and the United States—convened for a significant meeting aimed at bolstering collaboration in the Indo-Pacific region. This gathering comes against the backdrop of escalating geopolitical tensions and economic challenges, particularly influenced by the ongoing crisis in West Asia. The discussions are pivotal as they mark the first Quad foreign ministers’ meeting in nearly a year.
India’s external affairs minister, S. Jaishankar, engaged with his counterparts: Australian foreign minister Penny Wong, Japanese foreign minister Toshimitsu Motegi, and US secretary of state Marco Rubio. Their dialogue centered on rejuvenating the Quad alliance and enhancing cooperation in areas such as maritime security, economic resilience, critical minerals, infrastructure development, and disaster response. This meeting is seen as a step towards reinvigorating the Quad’s strategic objectives in light of current global challenges.
Prior to the main conference, Jaishankar and Motegi held bilateral talks that emphasized the significance of economic security and the ramifications of the West Asia conflict on energy resources and trade. Both India and Japan reiterated the necessity of stability in the Indo-Pacific and the security of maritime routes. Motegi highlighted the global shift in power dynamics and the increasing number of conflicts, underscoring the shared responsibility of India and Japan in shaping the future international landscape.
Australia recognized the Quad as an essential partnership for ensuring peace, stability, and prosperity across the Indo-Pacific. Canberra emphasized that the role of the Quad has become increasingly crucial in the face of a more volatile global environment. A significant agenda item expected to be addressed is the long-postponed Quad Leaders’ Summit. India had intended to host this summit last year, but it was deferred due to US President Donald Trump’s lack of confirmation for participation.
The previous Quad Leaders’ Summit took place in the United States in 2024, followed by the last foreign ministers’ meeting in Washington in July 2025. Recently, Jaishankar highlighted the commitment of the Quad nations, which he described as “maritime democracies,” to upholding international law, safeguarding trade routes, and maintaining a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region. This meeting in New Delhi underscores the Quad’s ongoing efforts to navigate and address the complexities of the current geopolitical climate.